Bills Connections In Super Bowl: There are several connections to the Bills at the Super Bowl tonight. On the Patriots sides former Bills Stephon Gilmore, Mike Gillislee, Chris Hogan, Alan Branch, Eric Lee, and Lerente McCray. Lee was on the Bills practice squad this year befoe being plucked by the Patriots and being a big contributor down the stretch. Gilmore is the big name on the list of former Bills for New England. Former Bills on the Eagles side include Jason Peters who is on injured reserve, Ronald Darby, Nigel Bradham, and Corey Graham. On their coaching staff is Jim Schwartz and Frank Reich.

Saturday February 3, 2018

Bills Hire Coach: Brian Draboll is dipping back into the Alabama coaching staff to hire his offensive assistant. William Vlachos joins his old boss in Buffalo according to ESPN's Chris Low. Vlachos served as an analys for Alabama under Draboll last year. Front Office Page.

TO To The Hall: His time has finally come as Terrell Owens is one of eight men that make up the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018. Owens spent one year with the Bills and was a consummate professional. He tweeted recently that he wanted to stay in Buffalo for a second season and thoroughly enjoyed his time in Buffalo. The other members of the class includes fellow WR Randy Moss as the nomination committee continues to break the logjam at the position over the past few years. The rest of the class are Ray Lewis, Brian Dawkins, Brian Urlacher, Bobby Beathard, Robert Brazile and Jerry Kramer.

Taylor Speaks:Tyrod Taylor was making the rounds in Minnesota and spoke to the NFL Network and the Buffalo News today. He told both that he loves playing in Buffalo and wants to stay saying he is under contract right now. He told the Buffalo News that taking a paycut this year however is not in his mindset or part of the plan. He told NFL Total Access they have a special locker room and showed a lot of resiliency and he would love to be back with those guys. He said Sean McDermott changed the culture and made everyone realize how important they are to each other and the team bought in. He actually boasted a bit about having a winning record in Buffalo which a lot of guys can't say.

Training Staff Makeover: Hours after the news broke that Bud Carpenter is retiring Sal Maiorana of the Rochester D&C was the first to report that they have parted ways with head trainer Shone Gipson. He had been with the team for 14 years. It now appears that there will be a nearly complete overhaul of the top of the training staff.

Friday February 2, 2018

Carpenter Retires: After 33 years with the Buffalo Bills, head trainer Bud Carpenter is hanging up his tape as he has announced his retirement. The 66 year old told the Buffalo News that both he and team agreed this was the time to retire. He told the news, "It was time to retire. How lucky am I to be 31, 32, 33 years in the same occupation and not have to move? How many people can say that in the world of sports, let alone any walk of society? To walk away knowing who you've dealt with and the respect that you have from so many players, that's the most important part. I can put my head on a pillow saying, hey, I did the best I could for that player."

Wednesday January 31, 2018

Aaron Williams Retires: After suffering neck injuries in 2015 and 2016 former Bill Aaron Williams has announced his retirement from the league in a letter published by the Players Tribune. Williams suffered his second neck injury after a cheap shot by Dolphins WR Jarvis Landry. He never played again. In the letter he praised former Bill Fred Jackson for teaching him to take his career seriously. If you haven't read the full letter yet, it is a must read.

Tuesday January 30, 2018

H.S. Buddy Of McDermott New DB Coach: The Bills made it official tonight, Sean McDermott filled the DB coach spot with someone he went to high school with. John Butler is the replacement for Gil Byrd, it was first reported by Alex Marvez. He was the secondary coach for the Houston Texans the past four seasons.

Bills Fire Byrd: In a surprise move, Tim Graham of the Buffalo News was the first to report that the Bills have fired DB coach Gil Byrd. He led a secondary that saw standout years from rookie Tre'Davious White and safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. The Bills were in the top 10 in interceptions, pass breakups, and fewest big plays allowed in the passing game. Pro Football Weekly also reports that the team has parted ways with several members of the analytical staff. Front Office Page.

Monday January 29, 2018

Waufle Retires: There was a retirement at One Bills Drive but it wasn't the one we expected. DL line coach Mike Waufle has retired after 20 years of coaching. Asst. DL coach Bill Teerlinck has been promoted to DL coach and his job was filled by Aaron Whitecotton who was the Administrative Assistant to the Head Coach. Front Office Page.

Bonus Dispute: John Wawrow of the Associated Press reports according to a source Eric Wood did not announce his retirement because of questions on whether or not the team can recoup some of the bonus money he received after signing a two year extension before last season. That deal was suppose to kick in this year. The report says according to the CBA a team can ask for a portion of bonus money back if a player retires before the deal is complete. The gray area, according to the AP report, is the retirement because of a career ending injury.

Retirement Held Up: A very bizarre situation at One Bills Drive as Eric Wood did not get the send off he deserved. The press conference was setup to give him a grand departure from football and then it ended in less than two minutes after starting an hour late. We thought with the Beane/McDermott era the days of the Bills botching something so bad was behind them but I guess not. John Wawrow of the Associated Press reports that CBA language is holding up Wood's retirement. It makes sense that the word retirement was not uttered and why he says he's still on the roster.

McDermott Speaks: Sean McDermott spoke to the media in a scrum after the statement and said the good thing is Eric Wood can enjoy the rest of his life like he should be able to. He was taken back by the news that he couldn't play football anymore. He said today is Eric's day in denying to get into the settlement talks going when asked that question. He said today's ceremony is to celebrate a great career and it's his understanding his playing days are over. He would not speak about the future of the center position again saying they are celebrating Eric on his day. He side stepped another question about how disappointing it turned into just a statement and he wouldn't address any future role for Wood with the team.

Beane Speaks: After the brief comments by Eric Wood, Brandon Beane briefly spoke to members of the media and said according to Nick Veronica of the Buffalo News "he doesn’t believe Eric Wood will be able to play again even though Wood remains on the roster. Working on different designations for cap purposes. Wood may have gotten a second opinion, Beane won’t say definitively Wood is done playing." Matthew Fairburn of Upstate New York tweeted this from Beane, "Eric Wood will remain on the Bills roster. Doesn't want to get into too much detail. Said the Bills don't have cap room until they roll some over. Beane said he doesn't want to take away from Wood's day." Beane also said he got numerous second opinions on the injury. So it seems like Wood can't retire at this time because the Bills don't have the cap space to accept the big hit from the two year extension he signed before last year.

Wood Retirement Press Conference: Eric Wood held his retirement press conference inside the fieldhouse at One Bills Drive. Several players, coaches, former teammates, and alumni were in attendance including the entire scouting staff, new OC Brian Daboll, LeSean McCoy (just back from the Pro Bowl), Lorenzo Alexander, Jordan Mills, Ryan Groy, Kyle Williams, Ryan Fitzpatrick (wearing an Eric Wood T-Shirt), Garrison Sanborn and Kraig Urbik. McCoy and Fitz chatted with Daboll as they waited for the press conference that started almost an hour late.

Wood Opening Statement: He gave just a quick statement where he apologized for the delay and said the press conference was setup a couple of weeks ago when he was informed he will no longer be able to play football due to his neck injury. He got a stinger week 5 and week 6 but an MRI showed no significant damage. His MRI after the season showed a disc dangerously close to his spinal cord. He will no longer play football but he is still on the Bills roster and looks forward to helping out in another capacity. He then walked off without taking questions saying he hopes to answer questions at a later date. It seems like something changed today and this didn't look like a setup that happens just for a brief statement.